holding. I saw how
easily their slumber was disturbed. The obstacles to my escape were less
surmountable than I had imagined.

In a little time all was again still. I waited till the usual tokens of
sleep were distinguishable. I once more resumed my attempt. The bolt was
withdrawn with all possible slowness; but I could by no means prevent
all sound. My state was full of inquietude and suspense; my attention
being painfully divided between the bolt and the condition of the
sleepers. The difficulty lay in giving that degree of force which was
barely sufficient. Perhaps not less than fifteen minutes were consumed
in this operation. At last it was happily effected, and the door was
cautiously opened.

Emerging as I did from utter darkness, the light admitted into three
windows produced, to my eyes, a considerable illumination. Objects
which, on my first entrance into this apartment, were invisible, were
now clearly discerned. The bed was shrouded by curtains, yet I shrunk
back into my covert, fearful of being seen. To facilitate my escape, I
put off my shoes. My mind was so full of objects of more urgent moment,
that the propriety of taking them along with me never occurred. I left
them in the closet.

I now glided across the apartment to the door. I was not a little
discouraged by observing that the key was wanting. My whole hope
depended on the omission to lock it. In my haste to ascertain this
point, I made some noise which again roused one of the sleepers. He
started, and cried, "Who is there?"

I now regarded my case as desperate, and detection as inevitable. My
apprehensions, rather than my caution, kept me mute. I shrunk to the
wall, and waited in a kind of agony for the moment that should decide my
fate.

The lady was again roused. In answer to her inquiries, her husband said
that some one, he believed, was at the door, but there was no danger of
their entering, for he had locked it, and the key was in his pocket.

My courage was completely annihilated by this piece of intelligence. My
resources were now at an end. I could only remain in this spot till the
morning light, which could be at no great distance, should discover me.
My inexperience disabled me from estimating all the perils of my
situation. Perhaps I had no more than temporary inconveniences to dread.
My intention was innocent, and I had been betrayed into my present
situation, not by my own wickedness, but the wickedness of others.

I was deep